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Canadian citizenship
Canadian nationality laws
Canadian nationality law Canadian Citizenship Act 1946 History of Canadian nationality law
Classes of citizens
Canadian citizen Permanent resident Honorary citizenship Refugee Commonwealth citizen
Related topics
Oath of Citizenship Citizenship and Immigration Canada Immigration to Canada Passport Canada Lost Canadians "Canadians of convenience"

Honorary Canadian citizenship (French: Citoyenneté canadienne honoraire) is an honour wherein Canadian citizenship is bestowed by the Governor General of Canada,^[1] with the approval of parliament,^[2] on foreigners of exceptional merit. It is a symbolic honour; the recipient does not take the Oath of Citizenship, and thus does not receive any rights, privileges or duties typically held by a Canadian citizen.^[2]

As of 2009, five people have had this honour bestowed upon them:

1. Raoul Wallenberg, Swedish diplomat and Holocaust hero, awarded posthumously in 1985. ^[3]
2. Nelson Mandela, Anti-apartheid activist, former president of South Africa and recipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2001.^[4]
3. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2006.^[5]
4. Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister-elect of Burma and recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2007.^[6]
5. His Highness the Aga Khan, awarded in 2009.^[7]

References